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Ducks visit fruitful for Raiders

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Following valuable insights in Seattle with the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Huskies, the Raiders Senior Management group made their way south, continuing their three week sports tour of the United States.

Following a stop in Portland it was on to the University of Oregon, whose sporting facilities are renowned as some of the best in the United States. The Universities amenities came highly recommended to the travelling contingent, but it was not until arriving that the Senior Management group appreciated the magnitude and sheer ‘value’ of the Oregon Campus.

Oregon Ducks football stadium.

Phil Knight, co-founder and Chairman of Nike, funded a large proportion of the facilities himself. The Universities College Football team, the Oregon Ducks, have a long and proud history, last season making the College Football national championship game.

The Ducks gymnasiums, indoor/outdoor training arenas, stadiums and preparation areas are all state of the art. Whilst touring the Oregon facility the Raiders were also able to establish quality networks within the Sports Science and Facility Equipment Departments.

Raiders Senior Management group with Oregon players.

Having just visited the Seahawks training facility, one of the best in the NFL, it speaks volumes about the Oregon facilities that Raiders Football Manager John Bonasera classed it as the best he has ever seen.

“The University of Oregon was comfortably the most outstanding venue I have seen, definitely world class. Whilst its magnitude is beyond our realisation and capability, it provided great insight into facility structure and configuration and although not plausible for us gave us a great appreciation of what we can achieve on a smaller scale” Bonasera said.

The iconic Oregon 'O' logo is featured throughout the campus.

The Raiders Senior Management team wish to thank the University of Oregon for allowing behind the scene access and sharing their considerable knowledge. It was greatly appreciated and the Raiders are more than happy to reciprocate down the track.

State of the art theatre room.

The visit to Oregon provided many new ideas and structures that can be utilised if the Raiders hopes for a new training base in Braddon are realised. The group will now continue their journey south with a visit to another NFL training facility and game day this weekend.

The Ducks outdoor training field.

The Raiders Senior Management group is made up of Chief Executive Officer Don Furner, Head Coach Ricky Stuart, Commercial and Marketing Manager Jason Mathie and Football Manager John Bonasera.